Family's Journey Reveals Heroes and VillainsThe story of one family's epic journey, "Bears" features an array of colorful
characters-real-world heroes and villains that come together against a
picturesque backdrop, each driven to do whatever it takes to ensure
survival-even it comes at the expense of the others.

"After months and months of filming the same animals, it was clear that they
all have very distinct personalities," says co-director Adam Chapman. "And one
bear can show a huge range of behaviors, depending on the circumstances. They
are completely tuned in to the landscape and the other bears around them.
They're very complex characters."

SKY is a first-time mom, and raising two tiny cubs on her own can be pretty
overwhelming. She's a strong mother with good instincts, but life on the Alaskan
peninsula is tough. It's up to Sky to protect her cubs as they make a momentous
trek to find the food they'll need to make it through next winter.

"She has from the beginning of April to the end of October to fatten up-not
just deal with her own hunger for that day or the next, but to deal with six
months of starvation ahead of her and her family," says director Alastair
Fothergill. "It's a pretty worrying thing if you're a mother."

"It's kind of a rollercoaster ride," adds director Keith Scholey. "There are
top places to feed, but every bear knows where those are, so there's not only
competition, but potential threats. It becomes a balancing act between keeping
the cubs safe and eating enough to get through the year ahead."

But, adds Fothergill, Sky finds time to enjoy her role as mom. "There are
amazing moments of warmth," he says. "She tussles with her cubs, nudges them,
rolls them over-the gentleness of Sky towards her cubs is very special."

AMBER is a mama's girl. She likes to catch a ride on Sky's broad back or curl
up next to her for a cozy nap. Amber's habit of hanging close to mom might make
her look timid, but make no mistake: Amber is watching mom's every move and
learning the tricks to surviving in Alaska. Smart bear.

"Amber is the kind of child every parent dreams of," laughs Chapman. "She pays
attention to what Sky's doing. She listens. And eventually shows an astonishing
degree of independence."

"It's interesting," adds Scholey, "that whenever you see two bear cubs with
their mother, there is almost always one that stays close to mom, while the
other larks around. So 'Bears' is a very true reflection of most bear
families-and a lot of human families."

SCOUT is all about adventure. He's filled with curiosity and relishes the new
sights, sounds and smells his family's journey reveals each day. But Scout's
penchant for exploration gets him into some trouble. Bold is good if you're a
big bear, but little Scout best keep one eye on mom at all times.

Narrator John C. Reilly says he can relate to the boisterous bear cub. "I was a
pretty mischievous kid, so Scout's personality is probably most like me as a
kid."

"Scout finds his surroundings incredibly exciting," says Scholey. "He's
experiencing new things every day, the Alaskan wilderness must seem so big and
bewildering for a cub just stepping out into the world. His journey is both fun
and a little scary."

MAGNUS is king. He's the biggest bear in the neighborhood and highly
respected. While male bears are typically a threat to young cubs like Amber and
Scout-Sky knows that Magnus' high-ranking status gives him first dibs at every
meal, so he's not likely to bother the young family as long as they keep their
distance.

"In bear society, it's all about dominance," says Scholey. "And the biggest
bears rule. Most other bears will take one look at a bear like Magnus and just
let him be."

Adds Chapman, "When everyone else is running and chasing fish-Magnus just
sits and waits for the right moment. Or the opportunity to go and take someone
else's fish."

CHINOOK, an exile from local bear society, is constantly challenged by the
other male bears-especially Magnus. A born fighter, Chinook is indignant,
vulnerable, hungry-and a surefire threat to Sky and her young cubs.

"All of the bears in a given area-like where we filmed 'Bears'-know each
other," says Scholey. "So when a stranger shows up-a male bear they don't know
like Chinook-everyone stands up on their hind legs to check him out. It's these
outcast bears that are the most dangerous. Chinook's like a guy in a new town
who walks into the local pub carrying a big shotgun. He's a little too ready for
a challenge."

TIKAANI is a mischievous, scheming wolf who spends much of his time lurking
in the bears' shadows. Tikaani fills his belly by stealing fish from
unsuspecting bears. But he's also watching Sky, plotting the best way to outwit
the new mother and snatch one of her cubs.

"Tikaani is sly, hanging out on the edges of bear society," says Chapman. "But
he's an opportunist."

"Wolves are a competitive predator. A mother bear like Sky with small
first-year cubs has to be pretty wary about a wolf like Tikaani."

THE RAVEN forms an easy alliance with Sky. The shiny black bird beckons Sky
from above, pointing her toward the next meal-and Sky rewards the tips with
leftover clams, mussels and fish that the raven could never get on her own.
"The best stories are in nature," says Fothergill. "I love the interaction
between Sky and the raven-there's a charming connection between bird and bear
that adds a layer to what's already an emotional journey."